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poets

We’re in the final full week of National Poetry Month. This week we’re featuring resources at Doherty and around Houston for aspiring poets.

Houston supports an active creative writing scene. In addition to having our own Poet Laureate, Gwendolyn Zepeda, poetry events and literary readings are held throughout the city almost every week. Here are a few sites for finding an event near you:

We also have a wealth of resources at Doherty to help aspiring writers develop their poetic voices. If you’re looking for some inspiration, try reading new poetry in a literary magazine or journal. You can access full-text articles from some of the top journals in the field through the library website:

It’s National Poetry Month, and this week we are exploring Latin American poets and their contributions to the poetic tradition.

Many debates and exchanges have shaped Latin American poetry over the years. A number of its most powerful movements are expressions of cultural and political conflicts surrounding the evolution of Latin American and national identities. Although there are examples of poetry from this region dating back to the pre-Columbian era, it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that Latin American poetry took its place on the world stage.

Use the links below to discover some of Latin America’s most notable poetic voices:

Ruben Dario (Nicaragua) – Considered the father of the Latin American modernism movement, Dario fused traditional poetic style with new innovations in imagery and rhythm.

Gabriela Mistral (Chile) – Gabriela Mistral was the first Latin American author to receive the Nobel Prize in literature; as such, she will always be seen as a representative figure in the cultural history of the continent.

Pablo Neruda (Chile) – One of Latin America’s most prolific and well-known poets, Neruda led a life charged with poetic and political activity. He received many prestigious awards throughout his lifetime, including the International Peace Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Octavio Paz(Mexico) – Often nominated for the Nobel Prize in his lifetime, Mexican author Octavio Paz enjoyed a worldwide reputation as a master poet and essayist.